With summer’s arrival, many people strive to achieve that perfect tan. Tanning may look great on the surface, but the amount and length of time a person is exposed to the sun will determine the amount of possible damage. Additionally, using tanning salons is not any safer – tanning beds and sunlamps are as dangerous as the sunrays.
It has long been known, excessive exposure to the sun’s UVB rays may cause skin damage. For years it was thought that the sun’s UVA rays do not cause sunburns and not a skin cancer risk. Now, doctors realize that even small amounts of UVA light can increase the damaging and cancer-causing effects of the UVB rays. More importantly, UVA rays are able to penetrate the skin more deeply and damage the skin’s elastic structure. This is what causes the “aging” of the skin.
The incidence of skin cancer is on the rise in the United States. One out of every six Americans develops skin cancer in their lifetime. There are three types of skin cancer.
Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas are slow growing and easy to treat if detected early. It is the malignant melanoma that is fast growing and potentially fatal. This melanoma may start out as a harmless mole or bump. Learn the ABCD rule to help detect these carcinomas:
A Asymmetry: A mole that has sides that, when cut in half, do not match
B Border: A mole that has jagged or blurry edges
C Color: A mole that changes color (darkening, loss of color, or multiple colors)
D Diameter: A mole having a diameter larger than ¼ inch (size of a pencil eraser)
By living in the southern United States, there is a greater risk for skin cancer. Other factors are:
• Having 2 or more close relatives who have had melanoma
• Having abnormal moles
• Having had melanoma previously
• Having more than 50 moles
• Having 1 or more severe sunburns as a child/teenager
• Having fair skin that burns easily in the sun
Dr. Chris Herndon, local physician, encourages all of us to take notice of any abnormal skin changes and report it to their doctor.
According to Dr. Herndon, the best preventive measure against skin cancer is to not damage your skin. Avoid the sun between 10am and 4pm. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and reapply every 2-3 hours. Wear a wide-brim hat and sunglasses while in the sun.
To make a gift to the Taylor Le Norman/McCasland Cancer Center, please call Cyndi Crook, Director, DRH Health Foundation at 580-251-8844.
Article Contributors:
Christopher M. Herndon, MD
Duncan Medical Associates, PC
www.duncanmedical.com
Cyndi Crook
Director, DRH Health Foundation
Duncan Regional Hospital Health Foundation 2210 Duncan Regional Loop. Duncan, OK 73533 (580) 251-6640 Information about the Foundation
